I want a T5 bulb specifically for my macro

[jarrod13]

I run a 6 bulb T5 fixture on my 90 gallon macro dominated tank. Currently I have 4 blue plus, 1 coral plus, and 1 purple plus. It's about time to replace them again and this time I want one bulb that is specifically for my macro algae. If I remember correctly they prefer something in the 660 range, is that correct? Please recommend which bulb would be the best for this, I'm not too concerned about looks either, I know it will probably be red. Thank you

 

[tektite]

I wouldn't go that red. Your current configuration sounds pretty good, though I would swap one or two of the blue plus for something like aquablues. If you get a bulb with such a low kelvin temp, it doesn't really help the macroalgae much more than a whiter bulb like the aquablue but it does really help things like diatoms.

Both the coral plus and purple plus have some of that red wavelength in them already. If you want more I would swap one of them out for a Fiji purple, rather than getting a dedicated red bulb.

 

[jarrod13]

Ok maybe I'll just stick with what I have then since I do get good growth. Isn't the Fiji purple and purple plus pretty much the same bulb just different brand?

By the way here's the tank I'm referring to

 

[tektite]

Different manufacturers can have very different wavelength curves even for similarly marketed bulbs. They're pretty similar in the purple-green spectrum, but the Fiji purple has a much higher spike in the red wavelengths than the purple plus.

 

[jarrod13]

Ok so instead of a purple plus I'll get a Fiji purple. Thanks for the info :thumbsup:

 

[Sharkey18]

Thats a gorgeous tank.